Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 36.

This bill creates the state foster care and adoption review board ("board"), which is tasked to provide oversight for the department of children's services pilot program, address the most serious issues relating to foster care and adoption, and review reports generated by the department of children's services' pilot programs.<br /> <br /> MEMBERSHIP<br /> <br /> This bill provides that the board will consist of 13 members. The commissioner of the department of children's services must serve as an ex-officio non-voting member of the board. The remaining 12 members must be appointed as follows:<br /> <br /> (1) The speaker of the senate must appoint (i) one former foster child or current foster parent who is a resident of the eastern grand division, (ii) one licensed professional counselor who counsels children and who is a resident of the eastern grand division, (iii) one juvenile court judge who is a resident of the middle grand division, and (iv) one case manager who works at a licensed foster or adoption entity and who is a resident of the western grand division;<br /> <br /> (2) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint (i) one former foster child or current foster parent who is a resident of the middle grand division, (ii) one licensed professional counselor who counsels children and who is a resident of the middle grand division, (iii) one juvenile court judge who is a resident of the western grand division, and (iv) one case manager who works at a licensed foster or adoption entity and who is a resident of the eastern grand division; and<br /> <br /> (3) The governor shall appoint (i) one former foster child or current foster parent who is a resident of the western grand division, (ii) one licensed professional counselor who counsels children and who is a resident of the western grand division; (iii) one juvenile court judge who is a resident of the eastern grand division, and (iv) one case manager who works at a licensed foster or adoption entity and who is a resident of the middle grand division. <br /> <br /> This bill provides the terms of the initial appointments will be staggered and that a member is prohibited from serving more than two terms consecutively. Members, except for initial appointments and those appointed to complete the remaining term of a member who is no longer able to serve in such capacity prior to the expiration of the member's term, are appointed to full four-year terms or until their successors are appointed. At the end of the member's term, the member must continue to serve until a replacement is appointed by the appropriate appointing authority.<br /> <br /> In making appointments to the board, this bill requires the appointing authorities to strive to ensure that the membership of the board reflects and represents the diversity of persons in this state. <br /> <br /> MEETINGS<br /> <br /> This bill provides that the initial meeting of the board must be held in Nashville and at the call of the commissioner of children's services. The board must elect a chair from among its members at the initial meeting, and all subsequent meetings meet at the call of the chair. The chair must serve in that capacity for two years as a non-voting member of the board and is eligible for reelection.<br /> <br /> This bill requires the board to meet at least once quarterly, although the chair may convene the board as frequently as once per month. The board may permit a member to participate in a meeting by, and the board may conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of virtual or remote communication if the board (i) implements reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to attend or vote at the meeting by means of virtual or remote communication is a member and (ii) implements reasonable measures to provide members a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting; and (iii) maintains a record of all votes or other actions taken by a member by means of virtual or remote communication. A simple majority of the members attending a meeting in person and by virtual or remote communication constitutes a quorum. The board must keep accurate minutes of the proceedings of all its meetings.<br /> <br /> This bill clarifies that members of the board are not compensated for their services but may receive reimbursement for travel expenses in accordance with the comprehensive travel regulations promulgated by the commissioner of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general.<br /> <br /> REPORT<br /> <br /> This bill requires the board to annually submit a report of its actions to the chief clerk of the senate, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, and the legislative librarian no later than January 1 of each year, beginning in 2025. This bill places the board subject in sunset review in 2025.<br /> <br /> RULEMAKING<br /> <br /> This bill authorizes the board to promulgate rules to effectuate this bill.<br />